1 Peter 4
Jubilee Bible 2000
4 ¶ Since the Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, be ye also armed with the same thought; for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
2 so that now the time that remains in the flesh, he might live, not unto the lusts of men, but unto the will of God.
3 For it should suffice us that during the time past of our life we had done the will of the Gentiles, when we conversed in lasciviousness, lusts, drunkenness, gluttony, orgies, and abominable idolatries.
4 ¶ And it seems strange to those that speak evil of you, that ye do not run with them to the same unchecked dissolution;
5 the same shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 Because for this cause was the gospel preached also to those that are dead, that they might be judged in flesh according to men, but live in spirit according to God.
7 ¶ But the end of all things is at hand; be ye, therefore, temperate and watch unto prayer.
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves; for charity shall cover a multitude of sins.
9 Lovingly be hospitable one to another without murmuring.
10 Let each one according to the gift that he has received, administer it unto the others, as a good steward of the diverse graces of God.
11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God; if anyone ministers, let them do it according to the virtue which God gives, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus, the Christ, unto whom is glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12 ¶ Beloved, think it not strange when you are tried by fire (which is done to prove you) as though some strange thing happened unto you,
13 but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of the afflictions of the Christ, so that also in the revelation of his glory, ye may rejoice in triumph.
14 If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; for the glory and the Spirit of God rests upon you; certainly on their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.
15 So let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as desirous of the things of others.
16 But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17 For it is time that the judgment begins from the house of God; and if it first begins with us, what shall the end be of those that do not obey the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous are saved with difficulty, where shall the unfaithful and the sinner appear?
19 Therefore, let those that are afflicted according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls unto him as unto a faithful Creator, doing good.
1 Peter 4
New Life Version
Following Christ Will Mean Suffering
4 Since Christ has suffered in His body, we must be ready to suffer also. Suffering puts an end to sin. 2 You should no longer spend the rest of your life giving in to the sinful desires of the flesh. But do what God wants as long as you live in this world. 3 In the past you gave enough of your life over to living like the people who do not know God. You gave your life to sex sins and to sinful desires. You got drunk and went to wild parties and to drinking parties and you worshiped false gods. 4 Those who do not know God are surprised you do not join them in the sinful things they do. They laugh at you and say bad things against you. 5 Remember, they will give an answer to Him Who judges all who are living or dead. 6 For this reason, the Good News was preached to the dead. They stood in the flesh before the One Who judges so they might live in the Spirit as God wants.
Love Each Other
7 The end of the world is near. You must be the boss over your mind. Keep awake so you can pray. 8 Most of all, have a true love for each other. Love covers many sins. 9 Be happy to have people stay for the night and eat with you. 10 God has given each of you a gift. Use it to help each other. This will show God’s loving-favor. 11 If a man preaches, let him do it with God speaking through him. If a man helps others, let him do it with the strength God gives. So in all things God may be honored through Jesus Christ. Shining-greatness and power belong to Him forever. Let it be so.
Stay True During Suffering
12 Dear friends, your faith is going to be tested as if it were going through fire. Do not be surprised at this. 13 Be happy that you are able to share some of the suffering of Christ. When His shining-greatness is shown, you will be filled with much joy. 14 If men speak bad of you because you are a Christian, you will be happy because the Spirit of shining-greatness and of God is in you. 15 None of you should suffer as one who kills another person or as one who steals or as one who makes trouble or as one who tries to be the boss of other peoples’ lives. 16 But if a man suffers as a Christian, he should not be ashamed. He should thank God that he is a Christian. 17 The time has come for Christians to stand before God and He will judge. If this happens to us, what will happen to those who do not obey the Good News of God? 18 If it is hard for a man who is right with God to be saved, what will happen to the sinner? 19 So if God wants you to suffer, give yourself to Him. He will do what is right for you. He made you and He is faithful.
1 Peter 4
New King James Version
Christ’s Example to Be Followed
4 Therefore, since Christ suffered [a]for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, (A)but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past [b]lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready (B)to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason (C)the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but (D)live according to God in the spirit.
Serving for God’s Glory
7 But (E)the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for (F)“love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 (G)Be hospitable to one another (H)without grumbling. 10 (I)As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, (J)as good stewards of (K)the manifold grace of God. 11 (L)If anyone speaks, let him speak as the [c]oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that (M)in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the [d]dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Suffering for God’s Glory
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice (N)to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that (O)when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are [e]reproached for the name of Christ, (P)blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. [f]On their part He is blasphemed, (Q)but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a [g]busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this [h]matter.
17 For the time has come (R)for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, (S)what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now
(T)“If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God (U)commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 4:1 NU omits for us
- 1 Peter 4:3 NU time
- 1 Peter 4:11 utterances
- 1 Peter 4:11 sovereignty
- 1 Peter 4:14 insulted or reviled
- 1 Peter 4:14 NU omits the rest of v. 14.
- 1 Peter 4:15 meddler
- 1 Peter 4:16 NU name
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
